Golf Putting Training Device and Method of Use

ABSTRACT

A putting training device designed to be inserted into a conventional golf hole to variably decrease the width of the hole while closely maintaining the original depth or length of the hole. The device includes an outer component enabling insertion into a regulation golf hole. The outer component includes a pair of opposing top planar members that serve to reduce width of the opening of the golf hole, but still allowing a regulation golf ball to fall into the hole, all while closely maintaining the original depth, or length from front to back, of the golf hole. The putting training device also includes an inner component that removably nests inside the outer component further reducing the width of the golf hole, while still allowing a regulation golf ball to fall into the hole, while still closely maintaining the original depth of the golf hole.

PRIORITY

This invention claims priority from provisional patent application 61/446,966 filed on Feb. 25, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to sports training aids and more specifically, to golf putting aids and a method for their use.

Putting plays a critical role in a golfer's overall score. As a result, golfers of all abilities spend a significant amount of time practicing putting with the intention of raising one's overall skill at sinking the golf ball into the golf hole. One of the best ways to improve one's putting abilities is to practice on the same surface upon which one intends to play. These practice greens are often at golf courses and driving ranges, and even at some private homes

A typical practice green is set on a smooth, closely mown grass surface with a number of golf holes. Each golf hole has a circular shape of regulation diameter and is made by removing a plug and inserting a putting cup into the ground slightly below the putting surface where the plug once was. A pin is often placed in the hole to show where the center of the hole is and aids the golfer in lining up the putt. A golf ball has a diameter consistent with the rules of golf and is considerably smaller in diameter than the golf hole, which allows it to fall into the golf hole even when it is directed slightly off-target. The more skill a golfer has in being able to direct the golf ball towards the center of the golf hole, the more success the golfer has in sinking putts in the fewest strokes. If the golf ball is directed too far off center, however, the putt will miss the golf hole. Thus, there is a need for a putting training aid to help sharpen a golfer's skills at directing the golf ball towards the center of the golf hole.

A second factor that determines if a golf ball will fall into the golf hole is the speed at which the golf ball rolls along the ground towards the target. If the golf ball rolls too fast along the correct target line, it can miss by bouncing out of the back side of the golf hole or hit the edge of the hole and spin out if directed slightly off center of the target. If the golf ball rolls too slowly along the correct target line, it can miss by stopping before it reaches the golf hole or by being directed off line by any number of factors. Factors that can affect a ball's path towards the golf hole include imperfections in the putting surface such as footprints or divots, imperfections in the cutting of the grass, the angle at which the grass grows on the putting surface and small debris on the surface. This is especially so as the golf ball slows down too soon as it nears the hole. Being able to strike the ball consistently with the right speed to reach the hole and overcome any obstacles that might affect its line to the hole is critical to be a successful putter. Accordingly, there is a need to be able to develop the right or optimum speed for each putt as the golfer sharpens his or her skills at directing the golf ball towards the center of the target.

There are currently several training devices that can insert into the golf hole. They focus on improving a golfer's accuracy in finding the right line to the target, but hamper the development of correct speed. Typically, the device is inserted into the golf hole and physically reduces the diameter of the golf hole. Some have one reduced ring that is inserted into the golf hole while others offer progressively smaller rings to increase the challenge. The problem with these types of training aids is that the reduced diameter requires the putter to adjust the ball speed in an unnatural way in order to sink the ball into the hole. For example, to get the ball to fall into the hole, the putt must be more precise in both selecting a target line and in applying the right speed so that the ball will actually fall into the hole without rolling over it. As a result, these devices help train a golfer in one aspect of putting—directing the golf ball at the target's center—but diminish the golfer's skill in the second aspect of putting—the correct speed of the putt, a critical flaw.

There are many practice devices that currently exist to help improve a golfer's skill at directing the golf ball towards the center of the golf hole, but none currently allow a golfer to do this while simultaneously developing the type of speed needed during actual play. For these reasons, a need exists for a training device that hones a golfer's putting skill by increasing his accuracy in finding the line to the center of the hole while allowing the golfer to develop the right speed that is necessary for actual play. What is also needed is a device that is cost effective, simple to use, easy to transport, and useful on an actual putting surface to replicate real golf course conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies these needs by providing a simple, easy to transport, easy to use training device that increases a golfer's overall skills at putting by progressively reducing the width of the golf hole while not substantially reducing the overall length or depth of the golf hole. This allows for the improvement of one's skills at directing the golf ball towards the center of the target or hole while simultaneously allowing one to maintain the correct or optimum speed of the putt that would be used during actual play.

In one embodiment of the invention, a putting training device is designed to be removably inserted into a standard or regulation golf hole, typically by the golfer. The putting training device comprises an outer component that is generally cylindrical in shape, with an inwardly tapered or rounded bottom flange that avoids causing damage to the golf hole when inserted or removed. The outer component fits within the hole so that its top planar surface fits at or below the same level as the surface of the golf practice green. This outer component has an outer diameter sufficient to complement the inner diameter of a standard golf hole and is held in place by friction or compression with the aid of a plurality of outer vertical ridges. The device further comprises a pair of opposing top surface components that extend inwardly from the outer component to reduce the width of golf hole opening from opposing sides, while maintaining the length of the opening to that of the diameter of the golf hole in a direction generally perpendicular to the restricted width.

Simply, the invention discloses a golf putting training aid that fits within a cylindrical golf hole formed in the ground, the golf hole is defined by a bottom and a cylindrical wall connected to the bottom and having a uniform diameter. The golf putting training aid comprises a cylindrical support ring having a diameter generally equal to the diameter of the golf hole for fitting within the golf hole and a pair of opposing of top planar surface components, coupled to the cylindrical support ring, that define a training hole that is generally rectangular with a width less than the diameter of the golf hole, but wider than a golf ball, and a length greater than the width having sides that are curved having a radius substantially matching the radius of the golf hole.

An optional inner component can be added for a higher level of challenge. The second inner component removably nests within the pair of inner components and further reduce the width of the golf hole all while only minimally reducing the overall length or depth of the opening to the golf hole. By reducing the room for error in aiming for the center of the hole, the putter learns to better identify the line from the ball to the hole that will sink the putt, all the while being able to use the same ball speed one would normally use during actual play where no hole restrictions exist.

In an alternative embodiment, the putting training device can be fabricated from two or more pieces. The first piece comprises the outer component, which fits within and level with the hole opening while maintaining the full diameter of the hole. The second piece is generally disc shape and comprises a pair of inner components, which serve to reduce the width of the hole in one direction, while still maintaining the length of the hole in a direction perpendicular to the width, which is generally intended to be the line from the ball and passing through the center of the hole. The second piece nests within the first piece and is rotatable so that the putter can adjust the ball line from different locations on the green surrounding the golf hole.

The putting training device is made from any suitable material that includes, but is not limited to: wood, metal, hardened rubber or plastic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features, aspects and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the following detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the putting training device.

FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the putting training device.

FIG. 3 is an assembled top view of the putting training device.

FIG. 4 is an exploded front view of the putting training device.

FIG. 5 is an assembled bottom view of the putting training device.

FIG. 6 is an exploded front view of the putting training device with a cross sectional view demonstrating how the putting training device mounts within a standard golf hole.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the outer ring of the second putting training device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the wide insert disk of the second putting training device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the narrow insert disk of the second putting training device.

FIG. 10 is an assembled perspective view of the wide insert disk and the outer ring of the second putting training device.

FIG. 11 is an assembled perspective view of the narrow insert disk and the outer ring of the second putting training device.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the outer ring of the second putting training device.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the outer ring of the second putting training device.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the wide insert disk of the second putting training device.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the wide insert disk of the second putting training device.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the narrow insert disk of the second putting training device.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the narrow insert disk of the second putting training device.

FIG. 18 is an exploded front view of the outer ring, wide insert disk, and narrow insert disk of the second putting training device with a cross sectional view demonstrating how the outer ring of the second putting device mounts within a standard golf hole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, a golf putting training device in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Training device 10 includes a main outer component 12 and an optional inner component 14, both made from any suitable material to include but not limited to: wood, metal, hardened rubber or plastic.

FIG. 1 depicts outer component 12 is generally cylindrical and has a top planar surface 16. Outer component 12 typically has an outer diameter complementary to the size of a regulation golf hole 18, which is about 4.25 inches, but is not limited to such and is intended to be dimensioned to fit within any hole or opening on a putting green defined for play or practice. A golf hole has three dimensions of width, length, and depth. Training device 10 is intended to alter only one dimension, the width, significantly, and its length only minimally, while not affecting the third dimension, or depth of the hole, at all. Accordingly, since the depth of the hole in the third dimension is not to be altered, depth, as further discussed in the application, is related to the second dimension or hole length and the two will be used interchangeably.

Top planar surface 16 has inner linear edges 20 on opposing sides and generally parallel to one another thereby defining a new practice hole width in a first direction. The width or opening is narrower than that of golf hole 18, but uniform across the opening formed by edges 20. In one specific embodiment, the opening is about 2.75 inches wide, making it narrower than a regulation golf hole, yet wider than a regulation golf ball. The length or depth of the opening is constrained by front and back edges of the top planar surface 16 which are defined by opposing inner radius shelves 22. Each inner radius shelf 22 is slightly smaller in radius than that of the outer radius, which is half the diameter of outer component 12. Each shelf 22 further includes a top support face 24 for the removable resting of the inner component 14.

Outer component 12 has a radiused or rounded outer bottom flange 26 which allows for easy alignment and insertion into golf hole 18, thereby limiting any damage to the hole itself when inserted or removed. Outer component 12 further includes has a plurality of equidistant vertical outer ridges 28 to aid in frictionally holding outer component 12 in place within golf hole 18 above a properly counter-sunk golf cup 30.

Inner component 14 is generally rectangular. Inner component 14 has outer linear edges 34 on either side that are generally equal to those of inner linear edges 20 of outer component 12 and a front and back outer radius 36 that is generally equal to inner radius shelf 22 of the outer component 12. Top planar surface 32 has inner linear edges 38 on either side forming an opening typically 2.00 inches wide, which is narrower than the opening of outer component 12 and yet still wider than a golf ball, and centered side to side within inner component 14. Inner component 14 removably fits within outer component 12 and flush with putting surface 40 as shown in FIG. 2.

In use, a golfer who wishes to improve his or her putting skills would use golf putting training device 10 to progressively reduce the width of golf hole 18 while not substantially reducing the overall depth of the golf hole. By reducing the width of golf hole 18 while not substantially reducing the overall depth, allows for the improvement of one's skills at directing the golf ball towards the center of the target while simultaneously allowing one to maintain the correct or optimum speed of the putt. Significantly reducing the depth of golf hole 18 forces the golfer to reduce the speed of the putt to allow the golf ball to fall into golf hole 18. Reducing the speed of the putt can be detrimental to the success rate of the putt due to the golf ball becoming more susceptible to the imperfections in the putting surface such as footprints, imperfections in the cutting of the grass, the angle in which the grass grows on the putting surface and small debris that can influence the golf ball off line as it slows down too soon within the length of the overall putt distance. It also increases the possibility of the golf ball stopping short of golf hole 18. Critically, any time the depth of the hole is reduced, the ball speed must be reduced in order to sink a putt. Preserving the depth of the hole, meaning the length of the hole opening relative to from where the putter is standing and putting the ball, allows the putter to continue practicing putting with the same speed as would normally be used during actual play, as opposed to reducing the speed because of the reduced diameter of the hole.

Golf putting training device 10 is installed easily by placing outer component 12 over a standard golf hole 18, which is shown in cut-away view FIG. 6. Outer component 12 is aligned so that inner linear edges 20 run parallel to the line or direction in which the golf ball will be traveling upon entering golf hole 18. Outer component 12 is then lightly pushed down into golf hole 18 until top planar surface 16 is at the same level as or slightly below the surrounding surface of golf practice green 40. Outer component 12 is held in place by compression or frictionally with the aid of vertical outer ridges 28.

Once outer component 12 has been installed, the golfer can begin practicing his or her putting by directing the golf ball towards the reduced width center of golf hole 18, without having to alter the correct or optimum speed of the putt due to the overall depth remaining close to the original depth from front to back. Since the golfer is now putting to a narrower target, the golfer develops a greater ability to identify the best line to the center target, herby improving the golfer's overall putting skill.

The golfer can further improve his putting skill by inserting inner component 14 within outer component 12, herby further increasing the skill required to sink the golf ball into the even more narrow hole width provided by inner component 14, all without having to alter significantly the correct or optimum speed of the putt since the original depth from front to back remains close to the original depth of the overall golf hole 18. In alternative embodiments of the invention, more than one inner component 14 can be provided, with different inner widths.

Referring to the drawings, alternate embodiment of a golf putting training device in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated by reference number 110. Second training device 110 includes a main outer ring 112, a wide insert disk 114, and a narrow insert disk 116, all made from any suitable material to include but not limited to: wood, metal, hardened rubber or plastic.

FIG. 7 depicts outer ring 112 is generally cylindrical. Outer ring 112 typically has an outer diameter complementary to the size of a regulation golf hole 18, which is about 4.25 inches, but is not limited to such and is intended to be dimensioned to fit within any hole or opening on a putting green defined for play or practice. Top planar surface 118 opening is constrained by outside and inside edges of the top planar surface 118 which are defined by an inner radius shelf 120. Inner radius shelf 120 is slightly smaller in radius than that of the outer radius or diameter of outer ring 112. Inner radius shelf 120 further includes a top support face 122 for the removable resting of the wide insert disk 114, and narrow insert disk 116.

Outer ring 112 has a radiused or rounded outer bottom flange 124 which allows for easy alignment and insertion into golf hole 18. Outer ring 112 has a plurality of equidistant vertical outer ridges 126 to aid in frictionally holding outer ring 112 in place within golf hole 18 above a properly counter-sunk golf cup 30.

Wide insert disk 114 has a top planar surface 128 matching that of outer ring 112. Wide insert disk 114 has an outer radiused edge 130 that is generally equal to, or, alternatively, slightly smaller, than that of inner radius shelf 120 of the outer ring 112. Top planar surface 128 has inner linear edges 132 on either side forming an opening typically 2.75 inches wide, which is narrower than the opening of outer ring 112 and yet still wider than a golf ball, and centered side to side within wide insert disk 114. Wide insert disk 114 removably rests within outer ring 112 and flush to putting surface 40 as shown in FIG. 10.

Narrow insert disk 116 has a top planar surface 134 matching that of outer ring 112. Narrow insert disk 116 has an outer radiused edge 136 that is generally equal to, or alternatively slightly smaller, than that of inner radius shelf 120 of the outer ring 112. Top planar surface 134 has inner linear edges 138 on either side forming an opening typically 2.00 inches wide, which is narrower than the opening of outer ring 112 and yet still wider than a golf ball, and centered side to side within narrow insert disk 116. Narrow insert disk 116 removably rests within outer ring 112 and flush to putting surface 40 as shown in FIG. 11.

In use, a golfer who wishes to improve his or her putting skills would use a golf putting training device 110 to progressively reduce the width of golf hole 18 while not substantially reducing the overall depth of the golf hole. By reducing the width of golf hole 18 while not substantially reducing the overall depth, allows for the improvement of one's skills at directing the golf ball towards the center of the target while simultaneously allowing one to maintain the correct or optimum speed of the putt. Significantly reducing the depth of golf hole 18 forces the golfer to reduce the speed of the putt to allow the golf ball to fall into golf hole 18. Reducing the speed of the putt can be detrimental to the success rate of the putt due to the golf ball becoming more susceptible to the imperfections in the putting surface such as footprints, imperfections in the cutting of the grass, the angle in which the grass grows on the putting surface and small debris that can influence the golf ball off line as it slows down too soon within the length of the overall putt distance. It also increases the possibility of the golf ball stopping short of golf hole 18. Critically, any time the depth of the hole is reduced, the ball speed must be reduced in order to sink a putt. Preserving the depth of the hole, meaning the length of the hole opening relative to from where the putter is standing and putting the ball, allows the putter to continue practicing putting with the same speed as would normally be used during actual play, as opposed to reducing the speed because of the reduced diameter of the hole.

Second golf putting training device 110 is installed easily by placing outer ring 112 over a standard golf hole 18, which is shown in cut-away view FIG. 18. Outer ring 112 is then lightly pushed down into golf hole 18 until top planar surface 118 is at the same level as or slightly below the surrounding surface of golf practice green 40. Outer ring 112 is held in place by compression or frictionally with the aid of vertical outer ridges 126. Wide insert disk is then placed within outer ring 112. Wide insert disk 114 can be easily adjusted by rotating within the outer ring 112 so that the inner linear edges 132 run parallel to the line or direction in which the golf ball will be traveling upon entering golf hole 18.

Once outer ring 112 and wide insert disk 114 have been installed, the golfer can begin practicing his or her putting by directing the golf ball towards the reduced width center of golf hole 18, without having to alter the correct or optimum speed of the putt due to the overall depth remaining close to the original depth from front to back. Since the golfer is now putting to a narrower target, the golfer develops a greater ability to identify the best line to the center target, herby improving the golfer's overall putting skill.

The golfer can further improve his putting skill by removing the wide insert disk 114 and replacing with the narrow insert disk 116 within outer ring 112, herby further increasing the skill required to sink the golf ball into the even more narrow hole width provided by narrow insert disk 116, all without having to alter significantly the correct or optimum speed of the putt since the original depth from front to back remains close to the original depth of the overall golf hole 18. In alternative embodiments of the invention, more than two insert disks 114 and 116 can be provided, with different inner widths.

It has been found that the overall effectiveness of golf training device 10 is further enhanced by making all parts of device 10, both outer component 12 and its top planar surface 16 and inner component 14 and its top planar surface 32, being green to blend in more naturally with the typical color of a typical golf practice green. This aids in training the golfer's eye to focus more on the reduced width opening provided by golf training device 10 and not golf training device 10 itself.

It has also been found that the overall effectiveness of second golf training device 110 is further enhanced by making all parts of device 110, its outer ring 112 and its top planar surface 118, the wide insert disk 114 and its top planar surface 128, the narrow insert disk 116 and its top planar surface 134, all being green to blend in more naturally with the typical color of a typical golf practice green. This aids in training the golfer's eye to focus more on the reduced width opening provided by second golf training device 110 and not second golf training device 110 itself.

After the golfer has been training using golf training device 10, or second golf training device 110, as described herein, if he or she plays golf without the golf training device 10, or second golf training device 110, in place, golf hole 18 now will appear larger than it did prior to training with device 10, or second golf training device 110, resulting in greater confidence and a higher margin of error in sinking a putt into golf hole 18. The final result is an improvement in the overall putting skill for the golfer.

The embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration, not limitation. The invention is only limited by the claims as set forth below: 

1. A system for improving golf putting in a golfing environment having a golf ball and a golf putting hole comprising: a cylindrical support ring having a diameter generally equal to the diameter of said golf putting hole capable of being inserted into said golf putting hole, an opposing pair of top planar surfaces coupled to the cylindrical support ring, said surfaces defining a training hole that is generally rectangular with a width less than the diameter of said golf putting hole but wider than the diameter of said golf ball, and a length generally the same as the diameter of said golf putting hole.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said top planar surfaces are rotatable with respect to said cylindrical support ring.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said top planar surface further comprises an opposing pair of top planar subsurfaces.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein size of said training hole is adjustable.
 5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a set of candidate training holes wherein the adjustable size of said training hole is achieved by selecting one candidate training hole for insertion into said cylindrical support ring.
 6. The system of claim 2, wherein size of said training hole is adjustable.
 7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a set of candidate training holes wherein the adjustable size of said training hole is achieved by selecting one candidate training hole for insertion into said cylindrical support ring.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said top planar surface further comprises an opposing pair of top planar subsurfaces.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein size of said training hole is adjustable.
 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a set of candidate training holes wherein the adjustable size of said training hole is achieved by selecting one candidate training hole for insertion into said cylindrical support ring.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein size of said training hole is adjustable.
 12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a set of candidate training holes wherein the adjustable size of said training hole is achieved by selecting one candidate training hole for insertion into said cylindrical support ring.
 13. A method for improving putting of a golf ball into an unmodified golf hole from a starting position, said unmodified golf hole having a first width wherein said first width substantially equals the diameter of a regulation golf hole, the method comprising the steps of: choosing said starting location, choosing a second width of said golf hole wherein said second width is smaller than said first width, forming a reduced width golf hole by reducing the width of said unmodified golf hole to said second width perpendicular to a target line defined as the line having one endpoint at said starting location and having a second endpoint at the center of said golf hole while maintaining the width of said golf hole parallel to said target line at said first width, wherein a golf ball putted substantially on said target line from said starting location at a speed wherein said golf ball would drop into said regulation golf hole will drop into said reduced width golf hole, wherein a golf ball putted substantially on said target line from said starting location at a speed wherein said golf ball would fail to drop into said regulation golf hole will fail to drop into said reduced width golf hole.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said starting position is on a golfing green having said unmodified golf hole.
 15. A system for improving putting of a golf ball into an unmodified golf hole from a starting position, said unmodified golf hole having a first width wherein said first width substantially equals the diameter of a regulation golf hole comprising: a golf hole width reducer which reduces the width of said unmodified golf hole to said second width perpendicular to a target line defined as the line having one endpoint at said starting location and having a second endpoint at the center of said golf hole while maintaining the width of said golf hole parallel to said target line at said first width, wherein when a said starting location is chosen, and a second width of said golf hole is chosen, and said golf hole width reducer is deployed to form a reduced width golf hole having said second width, wherein said second width is smaller than said first width, such that a golf ball putted substantially on said target line from said starting location at a speed wherein said golf ball would drop into said regulation golf hole will drop into said reduced width golf hole, wherein when a said starting location is chosen, and a second width of said golf hole is chosen, and said golf hole width reducer is deployed to form a reduced width golf hole having said second width, wherein said second width is smaller than said first width, a golf ball putted substantially on said target line from said starting location at a speed wherein said golf ball would fail to drop into said regulation golf hole will fail to drop into said reduced width golf hole.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein said starting position is on a golfing green having said unmodified golf hole. 